The Read: Robert Wade dies

San Diego native Robert Wade, an early master of the hardboiled crime novel, has died. He was 92.

He and his writing partner, Bill Miller, wrote more than 30 books under the names Wade Miller and Whit Masterson. They were part of a new wave of writers whose fast-paced plots and lurid book covers captured the public's fascination in the decade after World War II.

Their most-famous novel, "Badge of Evil," was turned into a 1958 Orson Welles film, "Touch of Evil," widely considered one of the best crime movies ever.

For the past 35 years, Mr. Wade wrote a regular mystery-book review column, "Spadework," for U-T San Diego and its predecessors.

He died Sunday at his San Carlos home after months of declining health. A memorial service is scheduled for this Sunday at 2 p.m. at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Spring Valley.